Arsenal player ratings: Bukayo Saka runs the show but Jakub Kiwior fails to fill Gabriel’s big shoes
SET pieces were crucial AGAIN but Arsenal lost more ground in the title race after coming back from behind to draw 1-1 with Fulham.
Bukayo Saka thought he’d won it at the death but the Gunners missed the chance to close the gap on Prem leaders Liverpool.
Victory would’ve put them four points behind Arne Slot’s men, who now have a game in hand after their clash with Everton was postponed due to dangerous weather.
Arsenal dominated the early exchanged but saw themselves 1-0 down early thanks to Raul Jimenez’s spell-bounding run and finish inside 11 minutes.
Mikel Arteta was booed at half-time, but unlike last year’s defeat at Craven Cottage he held off on any substitutions at the break.
Another successful corner routine saw the Gunners level after William Saliba poked home from six-yards five minutes after half-time.
But heartbreak ensued in the 87th minute when Saka’s back post header was ruled out after Martinelli strayed offside in the build up.
Here SunSport’s Katherine Walsh gives her player ratings…
David Raya – 6
Couldn’t do much about his one-on-one with Jimenez and was rarely threatened after that.
Until a HUGE save at his near post in the 71st minute after Sander Berge’s ball over the top sent Andreas Pereira away.
Thomas Partey – 5
Started from right-back but it quickly became clear just how missed the Ghanaian’s presence was in midfield.
Often looked disjointed and uncomfortable in carrying out his defensive duties up against the explosive Adama Traore.
William Saliba – 6
Great positioning and a lengthy VAR check saw him tap in the equaliser from a back-post Havertz’s header. Yes, from another corner.
Couldn’t get back in time to stop Jimenez’s opener. Could the Frenchman have done more?
Jakub Kiwior – 4
Terrible afternoon filling into Gabriel’s big shoes as his performance showed why the Pole is only used in emergency situations.
Easily outmanoeuvred by Raul Jimenez’s inside run for the Fulham No.9’s sleek low finish opener inside 11 minutes.
Seemed out of place and not sure of his role during corner routines.
Jurrien Timber – 5
Forced to move into left-back but undoubtedly a greater influence on the right side of defence.
Dutchman was quiet by his standards and was dragged narrow for Jimenez’s opener.
Martin Odegaard (c) – 6
Looked like he was struggling in the first half-an-hour and hobbled off while walking inside at half-time, after being on the end of a big tackle from Berge.
Grew into the game as Fulham sat back and fed Saka with some intricate through balls, but nothing came off.
Replaced by 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri with 10 minutes remaining when Arsenal were chasing a winner.
Jorginho – 6
Largely did his job in nullifying Emile Smith Rowe before the Arsenal youth academy star was replaced inside 60 minutes.
But some wayward long balls saw a frustrated Arteta turn away in the opening half.
Declan Rice – 6
Some lovely runs between the centre-backs in his bid to push forward to level the score. Didn’t stop running and linked up well with Saka and Odegaard.
Tasked with bailing out the makeshift left hand side of Timber and Kiwior out a couple of times and again lethal from corners. Booked for a professional foul in the dying embers.
Bukayo Saka – 7
Every time you looked at the TV, Saka was crossing. Great corners from the right hand side.
Thought he’d won it for his side in the 87th minute, but his back post header was ruled out after an offside in the build up.
Grew into the game with both Antonee Robinson and Calvin Bassey working hard to team up on him, soon sat them both down with an outrageous run.
Such a menace from the right, and Robinson finally went in the book in the final five minutes.
Kai Havertz – 6
Out-duelled by Diop for much of the first half and rarely tested former Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno in his 73 minute appearance.
But it was his header from Rice’s corner that Saliba prodded home to put Arsenal on level terms. Didn’t have much of a sniff other than that.
Leandro Trossard – 5
An unbelievable piece of skill saw him bamboozle former Gunner Alex Iwobi but his stunning cross was fumbled by Saka.
More of a threat in the second-half before he looked disappointed to be subbed off for Gabriel Martinelli on the hour mark.
Subs
Gabriel Jesus (’73 for Havertz) – 4
Indecisive as Rice pinged a ball over the top for his run, which eventually landed in Leno’s waiting hands.
Gabriel Martinelli (’60 for Trossard) – 6
Disastrously caught offside in the lead up to Saka’s would-be winner in the 89th minute.
But worked better with Timber than Trossard perhaps managed. His tricky feet saw him fouled several times by Kenny Tete in final 15 minutes.
Sent multiple great crosses from the left, but Leno was often up to collect.
Booked for dissent as he bounced the ball in frustration at not being awarded a throw in.
Mikel Merino (’73 for Jorginho) – 5
Should’ve been booked for a tug on Pereira.
Ethan Nwaneri (’78 for Odegaard) – 6
Brave runs in his 15 minute cameo. Arteta clearly trusts the teenager.